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href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel arrived, the priests picked up the Ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When all the leaders of Israel had arrived, the priests picked up the LORD's ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When all the leaders had gathered, the priests lifted the Covenant Box <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />All the Elders of Israel showed up, and the priests picked up the ark <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When all Israel's elders had arrived, the priests lifted the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And all [the] elderly of Israel come in, and the priests lift up the Ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And all the elders of Israel come in, and the priests lift up the ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the old men of Israel will come, and the priests will lift up the ark.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And all the ancients of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel arrived, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the priests took up the ark;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests carried the ark.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And all the tribes of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the tribes of Israel came and the Priests picked up the Ark of LORD JEHOVAH<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the priests took up the ark,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/8-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=2847" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm">The Ark Enters the Temple</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And all the men of Israel came together to King Solomon at the feast in the seventh month, the month of Ethanim. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">When all</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: ziq·nê (Adj-mpc) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">the elders</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">had arrived,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: way·yiś·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">took up</a> <a href="/hebrew/727.htm" title="727: hā·’ā·rō·wn (Art:: N-cs) -- A chest, ark. Or laron; from 'arah; a box.">the ark,</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-4.htm">2 Chronicles 5:4-5</a></span><br />When all the elders of Israel had arrived, the Levites took up the ark, / and they brought up the ark and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. The Levitical priests carried them up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/40-34.htm">Exodus 40:34-35</a></span><br />Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/10-33.htm">Numbers 10:33-36</a></span><br />So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. / And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. / Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say, “Rise up, O LORD! May Your enemies be scattered; may those who hate You flee before You.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-12.htm">2 Samuel 6:12-15</a></span><br />Now it was reported to King David, “The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and had the ark of God brought up from the house of Obed-edom into the City of David with rejoicing. / When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. / And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/15-25.htm">1 Chronicles 15:25-28</a></span><br />So David, the elders of Israel, and the commanders of thousands went with rejoicing to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from the house of Obed-edom. / And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams. / Now David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who were carrying the ark, as well as the singers and Chenaniah, the director of music for the singers. David also wore a linen ephod. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-1.htm">2 Chronicles 7:1-3</a></span><br />When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-6.htm">Hebrews 9:6-7</a></span><br />When everything had been prepared in this way, the priests entered regularly into the first room to perform their sacred duties. / But only the high priest entered the second room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/25-21.htm">Exodus 25:21-22</a></span><br />Set the mercy seat atop the ark and put the Testimony that I will give you into the ark. / And I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony; I will speak with you about all that I command you regarding the Israelites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">1 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/6-2.htm">2 Samuel 6:2</a></span><br />And he and all his troops set out for Baale of Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name—the name of the LORD of Hosts, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/13-5.htm">1 Chronicles 13:5-8</a></span><br />So David assembled all Israel, from the River Shihor in Egypt to Lebo-hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath-jearim. / David and all Israel went up to Baalah of Judah (that is, Kiriath-jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. / So they carried the ark of God from the house of Abinadab on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding the cart. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/5-11.htm">2 Chronicles 5:11-14</a></span><br />Now all the priests who were present had consecrated themselves regardless of their divisions. And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, / all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">Matthew 17:1-5</a></span><br />After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. / There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. / Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-2.htm">Mark 9:2-7</a></span><br />After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. / And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.</p><p class="hdg">the priests took up</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a></b></br> And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear <i>it</i>: but they shall not touch <i>any</i> holy thing, lest they die. These <i>things are</i> the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/31-9.htm">Deuteronomy 31:9</a></b></br> And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6,14,15</a></b></br> And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-22.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-2.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-8.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Responsible</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">Ark</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-15.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-6.htm">Elders</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-5.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-36.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-28.htm">Responsible</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">The feast of the temple</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/8-12.htm">Solomon's blessing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/8-22.htm">Solomon's prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">54. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/8-54.htm">Solomon's blessing</a></span><br><span class="reftext">62. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/8-62.htm">His sacrifice of peace offerings</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When all the elders of Israel had arrived</b><br>The gathering of the elders of Israel signifies a moment of great national importance. Elders were leaders and representatives of the tribes, and their presence underscores the unity and collective participation of the nation in this sacred event. This assembly reflects the organizational structure of ancient Israel, where elders played a crucial role in governance and decision-making (<a href="/exodus/3-16.htm">Exodus 3:16</a>, <a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16</a>). The event is a fulfillment of God's promise to establish a place for His name (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-5.htm">Deuteronomy 12:5</a>), and the elders' presence highlights the communal acknowledgment of this divine plan.<p><b>the priests took up the ark</b><br>The priests, descendants of Aaron, were the only ones permitted to handle the Ark of the Covenant, as outlined in the Law (<a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a>). The Ark, a symbol of God's presence and covenant with Israel, contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/25-16.htm">Exodus 25:16</a>). Its movement to the temple marks a significant transition from the tabernacle, a mobile sanctuary, to a permanent dwelling place for God's presence in Jerusalem. This act fulfills the promise of a centralized place of worship (<a href="/2_samuel/7-13.htm">2 Samuel 7:13</a>). The Ark's journey to the temple can be seen as a type of Christ, who embodies the presence of God among His people (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>). The reverence and care with which the priests handle the Ark reflect the holiness and sanctity associated with God's presence, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (<a href="/leviticus/16-2.htm">Leviticus 16:2</a>, <a href="/hebrews/9-4.htm">Hebrews 9:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/elders_of_israel.htm">Elders of Israel</a></b><br>These were the leaders and representatives of the tribes of Israel, respected for their wisdom and authority. Their presence signifies the importance of the event.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The priests were responsible for the religious duties and rituals in Israel. They were from the tribe of Levi and had the sacred duty of handling the Ark of the Covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ark_of_the_covenant.htm">Ark of the Covenant</a></b><br>A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel. It symbolized God's presence among His people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon's_temple.htm">Solomon's Temple</a></b><br>The event takes place during the dedication of the Temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem, a significant moment in Israel's history as it became the central place of worship.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the Temple was located, serving as the political and spiritual center of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_for_god's_presence.htm">Reverence for God's Presence</a></b><br>The careful handling of the Ark by the priests underscores the reverence due to God's presence. We are reminded to approach God with respect and awe in our worship and daily lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_worship.htm">Unity in Worship</a></b><br>The gathering of all the elders and priests signifies unity among God's people. In our communities, we should strive for unity in worship and purpose, reflecting the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>The role of the elders and priests highlights the importance of leadership in guiding and maintaining the spiritual health of a community. Leaders today are called to be faithful stewards of their responsibilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_continuity.htm">Historical Continuity</a></b><br>The event connects Israel's past (the Exodus and the giving of the Law) with its present (the establishment of the Temple). We are encouraged to see our faith as part of a larger account, rooted in God's faithfulness throughout history.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_24_elders_in_revelation.htm">Who are the 24 Elders in Revelation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_60_queens_fit_solomon's_700_wives.htm">(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon's reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_true_christians_sin_or_not.htm">Do all men sin? Yes, as per I Kings 8:46 and others. No, true Christians, as children of God, cannot sin (I John 3:9). Yet, claiming sinlessness is self-deception (I John 1:8).</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_ezekiel's_and_1_kings'_temples_differ.htm">What explains inconsistencies between the Temple vision in Ezekiel 40 and other biblical Temple descriptions, such as in 1 Kings 6-7?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">The priests took up the ark.</span>--To bear the ark on its journeys was properly the duty of the Levites of the family of Kohath (<a href="/numbers/3-31.htm" title="And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.">Numbers 3:31</a>; <a href="/numbers/4-5.htm" title="And when the camp sets forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it:">Numbers 4:5</a>); but to bring it out of the Holy of Holies (or, as here, from whatever corresponded thereto in the tent erected for the ark on Mount Zion), and to replace it therein, was the work of the priests alone. Hence in this passage, with literal accuracy, it is said, first, that "the priests took up the ark;" then (<a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm" title="And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.">1Kings 8:4</a>) that the priests and Levites brought up the ark and the holy things; and, lastly (<a href="/1_kings/8-6.htm" title="And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD to his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.">1Kings 8:6</a>), that "the priests brought in the ark into the oracle." Josephus, indeed, declares that, as was natural on this occasion of special solemnity--just as at the passage of the Jordan, and the circuit round the walls of Jericho (<a href="/context/joshua/3-6.htm" title="And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.">Joshua 3:6-17</a>; <a href="/joshua/6-6.htm" title="And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.">Joshua 6:6</a>)--the priests themselves bore the ark, while the Levites bore only the vessels and furniture of the Tabernacle. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And all the elders of Israel came</span> [Not a mere repetition. The men who were summoned to Jerusalem (ver. 1) were all present, of their own accord, to witness the removal], <span class="cmt_word">and the priests took up the</span> ark. tin the parallel account in <a href="/2_chronicles/5-4.htm">2 Chronicles 5:4</a>, we read that "<span class="accented">the</span> <span class="accented">Levites</span> took up the ark." But there is no contradiction, as has been too readily supposed. For ver. 7 of the Chronicles," <span class="accented">the priests</span> brought in the ark," etc., confirms the statement of the text. And the explanation is suggested in ver. 5 of the same chapter, "These did the priests, the Levites (so the Heb.) bring up." Same expression in <a href="/joshua/3-3.htm">Joshua 3:3</a>. All the priests were Levites - Keil translates, "the Levitical priests" - and this somewhat singular expression is no doubt used to remind us that such was the case. Nor need it cause us any surprise to find the priests employed in this service. It is true that the ark was given into the charge of the Kohathite Levites (<a href="/numbers/3-30.htm">Numbers 3:30, 31</a>); and it was their duty to bear it (<a href="/numbers/4-15.htm">Numbers 4:15</a>; <a href="/numbers/7-9.htm">Numbers 7:9</a>; <a href="/numbers/10-21.htm">Numbers 10:21</a>; cf. <a href="/1_chronicles/15-2.htm">1 Chronicles 15:2, 11, 12</a>). But the real care and supervision of the ark always belonged to the sons of Aaron. It was their office, <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, to put on or take off the covering of the ark and of the vessels, which the Levites were forbidden directly to touch (<a href="/numbers/4-5.htm">Numbers 4:5-15</a>). It was quite in accordance with the <span class="accented">spirit</span> of these provisions that Solomon now entrusted the carriage of the ark to the superior order. But more than that, Solomon was not without precedent to justify his choice, indeed, we may see in his selection of the priests a minute mark of truth, amounting almost to an undo-signed coincidence. For we find that on occasions of extraordinary solemnity - at the crossing of the Jordan, <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, (<a href="/joshua/3-6.htm">Joshua 3:6, 15, 17</a>), and at the siege of Jericho (<a href="/joshua/6-6.htm">Joshua 6:6</a>), the <span class="accented">priests</span> had borne the ark (cf. <a href="/1_samuel/4-4.htm">1 Samuel 4:4</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/15-11.htm">1 Chronicles 15:11, 12</a>). It was no doubt these familiar precedents guided Solomon, or the ecclesiastical authorities, in their selection of the priests on this occasion. A "settled place," a "house of cedars" (<a href="/2_samuel/7-7.htm">2 Samuel 7:7</a>), "having now been found for the ark" to abide in, after it had "dwelt in curtains" for 500 years, it was taking its last journey, and in order to mark this journey as exceptional, in order to show both the ark and the house the greater reverence, it was determined that it should be borne for the last time by the priests. Keil suggests that the ark may have been uncovered, but this is very improbable. Why, we may ask, were coverings provided, and their use prescribed (<a href="/numbers/4-5.htm">Numbers 4:5-15</a>), if they were to be arbitrarily dispensed with? He also adds that Levites were not allowed to enter the most holy place. But neither, it may be added, was this lawful for the priests. Levites and priests might enter that day, because the house was not then dedicated. The cloud (ver. 10) claimed it for God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/8-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When all</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(kōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the elders</span><br /><span class="heb">זִקְנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ziq·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Old</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had arrived,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֕אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">took up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiś·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ark,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָרֽוֹן׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·rō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_727.htm">Strong's 727: </a> </span><span class="str2">A chest, ark</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/8-3.htm">1 Kings 8:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/8-3.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 8:3 All the elders of Israel came (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/8-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 8:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/8-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 8:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>